The labelling of food products has hit the headlines again.

Not so long ago, consumer confidence was knocked due to the discovery of traces of horsemeat in some frozen meals.

As shoppers, we put trust in the packaging surrounding our food and rely on detailed information to tell us exactly what it is in the tin, packet or bottle.

Now attention has been turned to clearer labelling once again as much of the meat sold in British supermarkets and served in restaurants comes from animals slaughtered according to traditional Muslim rituals, but in many cases is not labelled as halal.

A Morrisons spokesman said the supermarket chain requires that all its own label meat and poultry is from animals that are stunned prior to slaughter and according to its stringent animal welfare standards.

However, he said in relation to meat contained in processed Morrisons products, the company doesn’t request in its specifications with suppliers that the animal receives a halal blessing before slaughter. A small number of processed meat products may contain meat that is blessed, but it is always pre-stunned.

“There is currently no UK labelling scheme to cover this area and we would welcome Government guidance to be able to offer customers even greater transparency than we do at present,” the spokesman adds.

The British Retail Consortium explains: “All our members have confirmed all their own-brand fresh meat is from animals that have been stunned before slaughter.”

It says some of its members do sell branded halal, and kosher-certified meat which complies with Jewish dietary law, that is produced by specialist companies and clearly labelled.

“As the overwhelming majority of meat sold in UK supermarkets is own-brand and from animals that have been stunned prior to slaughter, we do not see the requirement to separately label meat based on the method of slaughter,” says a BRC spokesman.

“However, if the Government believes there is a need for more information on meat for those animals that have not been pre-stunned, we would be happy to have further discussion in the context of animal welfare.”

Two years ago, Shipley MP Philip Davies attempted to bring a law in to ensure all halal meat is clearly labelled, but recalls being defeated by three votes at the time.

But he now believes it has become a bigger concern, and this week moved a proposal in the House of Commons to demand all products containing halal and kosher meat are labelled as such at the point of sale, tabling an amendment to the Consumer Rights Bill stating this labelling condition should apply at all places where the public are served food, including schools and hospitals.

“My view is all about consumer choice. I think people should be able to make an informed choice,” he says, adding that the only way people can make an informed decision is through proper labelling.

Greater transparency through labelling would benefit those from other faiths. Kuldip Khaur Bharj, president of the Bradford Ramgahia Sikh Temple in Bolton Road, says eating halal goes against Sikh faith requirements.

“We would call for the effective and appropriate labelling of all foods,” she adds.

Zulfi Karim, vice-president of Bradford’s Council for Mosques, welcomes clearer labelling to avoid confusion and also wants to see a greater focus on food security generally, looking at the traceability of all meats, not just halal, and the process they go through.

“If they get the food security right, they will get halal and kosher right and everything else as well,” says Zulfi.

He also asks the question: “What constitutes halal? For me, in the year 2014 in a modern world, halal equals ethical.”

Zulfi Hussain is co-owner of Deeva restaurant in Farsley and founder of the Bradford charity, Global Promise. He believes the issue should be treated equally and details of all slaughtering practices should be labelled, not just halal.

“Labelling helps people make a choice. I understand the importance of clear labelling so people know what they are eating, but it should be equally applied to all forms of slaughter, not just halal,” he says.

In the House of Commons, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the UK is working with other European Union countries to examine the best options for compulsory labelling on food, and a review of the different approaches to give people more information when shopping will take place in the summer.